Government Shutdown Sparks Debate Over Health Care For Paroled Immigrants
By The Liberty Tribune Staff · Published: · Updated: · 1 min read

What it is
The recent government shutdown has intensified the debate over health care access for immigrants granted parole by the Biden administration. Democrats have insisted on preserving these benefits for nearly 3 million individuals who entered the United States illegally but were paroled under specific programs.
Why it matters
- Democrats have insisted on preserving these benefits for nearly 3 million individuals who entered the United States illegally but were paroled under specific programs
- However, the Department of Homeland Security DHS has the authority to grant parole on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit
- As a result of these actions, many of these paroled immigrants are now eligible for federal health care benefits, including Medicaid
- In response to the growing concerns, House Republicans passed a provision in their budget proposal that narrows eligibility for government health care benefits
- He criticized the Biden administration for bypassing standard visa procedures and background checks, allowing millions of illegal immigrants to gain access to federal benefits
- The ongoing standoff has raised questions about the future of immigration policy and the balance between humanitarian considerations and legal immigration processes
Key facts
- The recent government shutdown has intensified the debate over health care access for immigrants granted parole by the Biden administration
- Democrats have insisted on preserving these benefits for nearly 3 million individuals who entered the United States illegally but were paroled under specific programs
Primary sources
- https://www.uscis.gov/humanitarian/humanitarian_parole>
- https://homeland.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-04-08-OIABSE-JHRG-Testimony.pdf>
- https://judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-subsites/republicans-judiciary.house.gov/files/evo-media-document/2024-11-20%20The%20Biden%20Harris%20Administration%27s%20CHNV%20Parole%20Program%20Two%20Years%20Later%20-%20A%20Fraud-Ridden%2C%20Unmitigated%20Disaster.pdf>
- https://judiciary.house.gov/media/press-releases/report-de-facto-mass-amnesty-how-biden-harris-administration-abused-temporary>
- https://mcdowell.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-mcdowell-introduces-legislation-end-biden-era-mass-immigration>
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